In Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea, 100% of children attend a good or outstanding school.
Less than half of Merton’s secondary school aged pupils attend good or outstanding schools, according to Ofsted.
Ofsted’s 2011/2012 Annual Report, published this week, showed only 45% of Merton’s secondary schools and academies have been judged good or outstanding – the national average for good and outstanding schools in England is 66%.
This is compared to Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea, where 100% of children attend a good or outstanding school and 95% for Wandsworth.
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw said “If we aspire, as a nation, to move to a world -leading system, we have to reduce these serious inequities across the country.”
The report found huge variations in the effectiveness of local authorities in securing good school and childcare provision for children in their area.
Sir Michael added the key to improvement is leadership.
“That’s why I have made leadership such a central feature of my first annual report. We have found huge variations in the performance of schools across different local authority areas.”
Merton Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Martin Whelton said the low statistic is due to the fact Merton has the fewest secondary schools in London.
He said if one school moves up or done, if affects the ratings by at least 12%.
Councillor Whelton said: “Merton Council are determined to have the best performing secondary schools. If schools are not performing, we will take the necessary action.”
He highlighted the case of Bishopsford Community School, which was converted to an academy and changed its name to Harris Academy Morden in September, after failing its last Ofsted visit.
He added huge progress has been made since the last Ofsted inspections and Merton boasts the fastest rising GCSE results in the country over the last few years.
“As a local authority, we do see education standards as a very high priority and we have given support to schools receiving a satisfactory grading.”
He explained Rutlish School, which received a satisfactory rating from Ofsted in January 2010, has made huge progress since and GCSE results have gone up significantly.
This week, Ofsted announced London is to have its own Regional Director to drive up standards and transform the quality of education, learning and skills in the region.
Sean Harford, currently Delivery Inspection Director, will take up the post from January next year.
Eight Regional Director posts are being created across England to tackle underperformance at a local level, with their core mission to support underperforming schools and college to improve more quickly.
The Annual Report 2011/2012 is available online at www.ofsted.gov.uk.
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